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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-05-20Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>20 MAY 1998CONTENTS
[01] PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ: ''PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MAY TAKE PLACE IF THEY RESPECT OUR ATTITUDE''ANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said on Tuesday that if the European Union (EU) respected Turkey's attitude, then the Partnership Council may take place ''otherwise it will not take place,'' he added.Responding to the questions of reporters following his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook if Turkey would go to Cardiff, Yilmaz said, ''I told him our previous attitude. If they respect our attitude within that framework, then the Partnership Council may take place.'' When asked if the British Foreign Secretary Cook brought a new proposal, Yilmaz said ''but, the 14 countries seem to unite against us on a specific attitude. Greece still has several reservations. If they fail to prevent Greece from using her right of veto, then there is no possibility to implement their proposal.'' Cook was also received by President Suleyman Demirel. No statement was released following the meeting. [02] US: ''WE HAVE NO NEW POLICY ON THE AEGEAN AND CYPRUS ISSUE''WASHINGTON, D.C., May 20 (A.A) - James Rubin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of the US Department of State, said on Tuesday that they had no new policy regarding the Aegean and Cyprus issues and that they also didn't propose a new package.Responding to the questions of reporters about President Bill Clinton's statement issued in London, Rubin said, ''we have no new policy.'' Rubin said that the statement of Clinton was a confirmation of the US policy which has been carried out for a long time. He said that the US wants problems between Turkey and Greece to be solved peacefully. ''We want to solve the Cyprus question. We support the desires of Turkey aimed at the European Union (EU). The US doesn't propose a package or negotiation,'' he added. The Greek Cypriot Administration rejected the offer on Tuesday of Bill Clinton, the US President, concerning taking up the Cyprus problem, and the relations between Turkey-Greece and Turkey-European Union as a package. Hristos Stilyanides, the Spokesman of the Greek Cypriot administration, stated that the administration gives priority to the solution of the Cyprus problem. [03] ARMENIAN PROBLEM OVERSHADOWS RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND FRANCE - DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF THE SOCIALIST MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT CAUSES TENSION BETWEEN ANKARA AND PARISPARIS, May 20 (A.A) - Some Socialist Members of the French Parliament who prepared a draft law concerning the recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide in France, caused tension between Ankara and Paris, it was reported on Tuesday.Sonmez Koksal, the Turkish Ambassador to France, will meet with Bertrand Dufurcq, the French Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, to convey Ankara's discomfort regarding the incident. The socialist members of the parliament expect the draft law, which was prepared with the initiative of Rene Rouquet, to be taken up for the first time on May 29. The so-called Armenian genocide message of Lionel Jospin, the French Prime Minister, dated April 24, 1998, and the aforementioned draft law were criticised by the Union of Turkish Associations in France. The Union started a signature campaign to protest Jospin's message. The campaign wants the Turkish people living in France to join actively in the protest activities against the message of Jospin, who made the statement with the aim of collecting the votes of the nearly 400 thousand Armenians living in France. Protest letters which were prepared to be sent to Jospin and to the Socialist Party, remind that more than 3 million Turkish soldiers lost their lives during the First World War, noting that 350 thousand Turkish people living in France are embarrassed by the message concerning the so- called Armenian genocide. Meanwhile it was reported that Koksal will also meet with Laurent Fabius, the Speaker of the French Parliament, to discuss the draft law. [04] FM CEM: ''WE WANT THE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL TO CONVENE''ANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - Meetings headed by Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister and Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary, who came to Ankara to overcome the bottleneck experienced between Turkey and the European Union (EU) following the Luxembourg Summit, ended on Tuesday.Cem spoke to the journalists following the meetings with Cook, who came to Ankara as the ''EU Term President''. Turkey decided not to discuss political issues with the EU following the Luxembourg Summit. Speaking to reporters Cem expressed pleasure about the term Presidency of Britain and said both sides were willing to improve economic relations with the EU. ''We aren't offended by anyone,'' said Cem, stressing that talks with Cook took place within the framework drawn by the government on Dec 14, not to discuss political issues, the Cyprus question and several domestic problems. Reiterating that the EU implemented discrimination against Turkey, Cem said, ''restrictions which we put on political relations with the EU will continue unless this discrimination is removed.'' Cem also emphasized that bilateral relations with the EU countries may be improved. Cem stressed that the talks developed within the framework to further improve ''economic and social'' issues, adding ''if both sides are satisfied that a maturity is reached, we want the Turkish-EU Partnership Council Meeting to convene.'' Noting that dialogue and contacts with Cook will continue to this end, Cem said that such meetings contribute to the Turkish-EU relations. Cem pointed out that Turkey never departed from her principles, ''I hope the coming days will provide us with opportunities to realize important developments.'' Cem stressed that the Partnership Council was a ''positive step'', adding that Turkey's approach wasn't that it should be realized whatever the cost. Responding to a question Cem said that Cook didn't bring a special package for Turkey, adding that during the meeting they discussed how the ''EU Strategy for Turkey'' document will be developed. Cem said Turkey didn't need the 300-400 million US dollars which the EU would give to Turkey, adding ''the issue is important as the EU begins to fulfill its promises.'' Cem said that they discussed the increasing trade volume between the two countries of six billion US dollars, improvement of political relations and the issue of terrorism. Cem also said that the British Foreign Secretary disclosed his views regarding the Cyprus and Aegean issues. [05] FIREBOMB ATTACKS IN UMRANIYEISTANBUL, May 20 (A.A) - Three firebombs were tossed at the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Representation in Umraniye County of Istanbul Province. The devices exploded caused no casualities, but there is financial damage.The incident happened when five or six unidentified people tossed three firebombs at the MHP Representation on Gazi Mustafa Kemal street at 3:00 p.m. Two of the firebombs exploded causing a fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire brigades. Large scale operations have started to investigate the incident. [06] KORNBLUM, US AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY: ''THE EU MAKES A STRATEGIC MISTAKE BY NOT INCLUDING TURKEY INTO EXPANSION PROCESS''BERLIN, May 20 (A.A) - John Kornblum, the US Ambassador to Germany, said on Tuesday that the European Union (EU) made a strategic mistake by not including Turkey into the expansion process.Addressing a conference on ''The Change and Perception in Europe-Atlantic Relations'' staged in Berlin by the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Kornblum said that although the US and the European Union (EU) were in a consensus of opinion on the issue of interests, there was a difference between them on the issue of Turkey. Kornblum said this difference stemmed from the willingness of the US ''to act jointly in this changing world'', defending that the EU was trying to form its own order against the US. ''The exclusion of Turkey is really a problem that should be solved. Europe is closer to Turkey than the US, so it should see this clearly and bring a clear solution,'' said Kornblum. Kornblum said that they didn't want a war between Turkey and Greece, adding that they favored these two countries living peacefully and together in their regions. Kornblum noted that Turkey, whose economy is strengthened and which has a political stability, will contribute to the ''vision of a united Europe.'' ''Here,'' Kornblum said, ''the interests of the US and Europe contradict each other, Europe fails to perceive the incidents clearly.'' Noting that new concepts will be required in the coming century, Kornblum said, ''some of the EU member countries didn't want the Turkey issue to be solved within the NATO.'' The US Ambassador said that the solution of this question would be beneficial for everybody. [07] KORNBLUM, US AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY: ''THE EU MAKES A STRATEGIC MISTAKE BY NOT INCLUDING TURKEY INTO EXPANSION PROCESS''BERLIN, May 20 (A.A) - John Kornblum, the US Ambassador to Germany, said on Tuesday that the European Union (EU) made a strategic mistake by not including Turkey into the expansion process.Addressing a conference on ''The Change and Perception in Europe-Atlantic Relations'' staged in Berlin by the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Kornblum said that although the US and the European Union (EU) were in a consensus of opinion on the issue of interests, there was a difference between them on the issue of Turkey. Kornblum said this difference stemmed from the willingness of the US ''to act jointly in this changing world'', defending that the EU was trying to form its own order against the US. ''The exclusion of Turkey is really a problem that should be solved. Europe is closer to Turkey than the US, so it should see this clearly and bring a clear solution,'' said Kornblum. Kornblum said that they didn't want a war between Turkey and Greece, adding that they favored these two countries living peacefully and together in their regions. Kornblum noted that Turkey, whose economy is strengthened and which has a political stability, will contribute to the ''vision of a united Europe.'' ''Here,'' Kornblum said, ''the interests of the US and Europe contradict each other, Europe fails to perceive the incidents clearly.'' Noting that new concepts will be required in the coming century, Kornblum said, ''some of the EU member countries didn't want the Turkey issue to be solved within the NATO.'' The US Ambassador said that the solution of this question would be beneficial for everybody. [08] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING ENDSANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The Council of Ministers decided on Tuesday that the Tasucu Harbour should be rehabilitated to facilitate transports between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and that the TRNC Bayrak Radio and TV (BRT) would make use of the broadcasts aimed at the European countries via the Turksat satellite.Ahat Andican, the Minister of State and Government Spokesman staged a news conference following the Council of Ministers' meeting briefing about the issues that were negotiated and the decisions made. Andican said that during the meeting, Necdet Menzir, the Minister of Transportation and Communications briefed about his visit to Georgia and his contacts there. Within the framework of the contacts Menzir held there, and by considering the hardships of the Georgian government as well, the ministers decided that Turkey would give support to this country for the construction of the 32 km section of the Kars-Tbilisi railway which is on the borders of this state. The tender for the 92 km section of the Kars-Tbilisi railway project, also within the borders of Georgia, which is very important due to the links of Turkey with Caucasia and the Central Asian republics, was realized earlier. The ministers also decided in principle that Turkey would repair the international airport in the city of Batumi that couldn't be used due to negligence and provide for its usage as a regional airport for domestic flights. They also decided that the talks related to the issue would be carried out by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The Council of Ministers also discussed the Tube Tunnel Project and gave authorization to Menzir to hold the required contacts on the national and international platforms for the realization of the project. Ibrahim Gurdal, the Minister of Tourism, gave information about developments regarding tourism in the meeting. According to the evaluations, the number of tourists coming from countries like Germany decreased, but the number coming from the Central European countries and the Commonwealth of Independent States increased a lot. Ismet Sezgin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, briefed on the flood disaster experienced in the Aegean Region based in Western Aydin Province. According to the information the wool and vegetables products in 148 villages and in 10 counties received damages. Mustafa Tasar, the Minister of Agriculture, said that activities to determine the damages were still underway and that the damage determined so far was 11 trillion Turkish Liras. Burhan Kara, the Minister of State, briefed about the Expo-98 Fair. The ministers decided to allocate 8.5 million US dollars to provide historical, cultural and economic promotion for Turkey at the fair which will last for four months. The ministers also adopted a decision that Turkey would contribute one million US dollars to the international project, brought onto the agenda by the OSCE, to provide for the return of the Crimean Turks to their countries. It was also reported that preparations were about to be concluded regarding the activities to transport water with balloons to meet the water needs of the TRNC. Andican said that the ministers also took up the activities carried out to provide security of life and property for passages in the Straits. Recalling that providing the security of the Straits was decided to be left to an international commission during the Maritime security meeting held in 1996, Andican said that Turkey didn't participate in the meeting and didn't accept the decision. Andican said that Turkey launched efforts to prepare the necessary infrastructure to prevent the founding of such an organization. [09] MONTENEGRO PRIME MINISTER VUYANOVIC'S STATEMENT TO THE A.A: - ''WE OPPOSE THE POLICY OF MILOSEVIC, NOT SERBIA''BUDVA, May 20 (A.A) - As the tension became a political crisis when the Federal Parliament gave a vote of no-confidence to Rodoje Kontic, the Prime Minister of Federal Government at the last session held on Monday, Filip Vuyanovic, the Montenegrin Prime Minister, strongly criticised Slobodan Milosevic, the President of Yugoslavia, on Tuesday.Vuyanovic told the A.A correspondent that the reactionary forces lead by Milosevic put the country in a political crisis, adding, ''Milosevic brings Yugoslavia to the brink''. Describing Milosevic as the ''man of the old order'', Vuyanovic accused Milosevic of causing Yugoslavia to be excluded from the international platform. Noting that the Montenegrin Administration isn't opposed to Serbia and the Yugoslavian Federation, Vuyanovic said, ''what we are opposed to is the wrong policy imposed by Milosevic. A Serbian opposition was also formed against this policy''. Responding to a question, ''can Montenegro leave the Yugoslavian Federation'', Vuyanovic said that it is impossible. He reminded that the Montenegrians set forth their decisions at the referendum held in 1992. Filip Vuyanovic stated that the only person responsible for the Kosovo problem is Slobodan Milosevic. Noting that Milosovic both creates the crisis and prevents the solutions of this crisis, Vuyanovic stressed that the Kosovo problem can only be solved by giving autonomy. He claimed that giving Kosovo the status of an independent republic will give rise to problems, not only in the region, but in the world, adding, ''if it happens all the national minorities will act to establish their own states and this will cause a worldwide chaos.'' Vuyanovic also pointed out that the educational, cultural, social and political rights of the Albanians living in Kosovo should be guaranteed. Vuyanovic added, ''Our national minority formula is extremely democratic and fair. The Albanians and Muslim peoples living in Montenegro have the right of representation both in the Parliament and in the Government.'' [10] PIPELINE SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL - INITIATIVES OF THE US ADMINSTRATION AND COMPANIES IN ISTANBULWASHINGTON, D.C., May 20 (A.A) - The US administration and the US companies are getting prepared to launch initiatives in Turkey, it was reported on Wednesday.The international conference on the ''Transit Route of the World'' in which the pipeline routes will be discussed, will be held in Istanbul between May 27 and 29, 1998. Federico Pena, the Secretary of Energy for the US Department of Energy, briefing before the meetings that will be realized within the context of the conference by various units of the US administration said that they opposed the Iranian route for the pipelines, stressing that the ice between the US and Iran hadn't melted. Noting that they were harshly against the transit of oil and natural gas pipelines from Iran, Pena said ''all our attention is on the Eastern- Western corridor and the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline.'' Representatives of 15 countries from the Black Sea and Central Asia, officials of the US Administration and representatives from the US companies will participate at the Istanbul meetings. Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Eduard Shevardnadze, the Georgian Head of State, and Federico Pena will address the meetings. Talks will be held related to 64 separate projects in the region. Pena said that the US policy related to the Caspian Basin, in which energy became a stimulating power, was ''very open'', adding that ''we support the Eastern-Western corridor strategy and in particular, the Trans-Caspian strategy that will extend to Ceyhan in the Mediterranean.'' Pena said that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline will overcome Turkey's justified concerns related to passages from the Straits and at the same time it was ''economically operational and meaningful''. Pena identified the Trans- Caspian route as a ''new opportunity'' and added that it was beneficial for the regional countries. Pena also said that they directed all their attention to the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Pena said that the legal problems related to the energy power plants in which the US companies are interested in Turkey would be solved and that the Turkish leaders also wanted this. He said that an improvement would be recorded as Turkey needed these projects. Joseph Grandmaison, the real organizator of the Istanbul meetings, said that there could be no better place than Turkey for such a meeting. Dick Morningstart, from the White House National Security Council said energy, transportation, communications and infrastructure projects would be discussed at the meetings, adding that the Turkish private sector has experience in Central Asia and that joint ventures with the US companies were possible. The conference aims to stress the opportunites presented by the great projects in the Black Sea, Caucasian and Central Asian regions. Turkey's great projects related to energy, the Straits Tube Tunnel and harbours will be promoted at the conference. [11] 82 KG OF HEROIN SEIZED IN ISTANBULISTANBUL, May 20 (A.A) - Narcotics police seized 82 kg of heroin in an operation staged in Istanbul, it was reported on Wednesday.Hasan Ozdemir, the Chief of the Security Department in Istanbul said in a press statement that the haul was seized in an operation launched by the narcotics teams which acted on a tip-off. Ozdemir said five people were taken into custody in connection with the heroin, adding ''we have seized approximately two tons of drugs in Istanbul in the past five months.'' [12] TURKISH-JAPANESE COOPERATION ON MININGANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Institute of Mineral Investigation and Exploration (MTAK) will organize a seminar on ''Research and Assessment of the Underground Sources'' between June 1-30, it was reported on Wednesday.Officials from JICA's Turkey Office told the A.A correspondent that the seminar will be held in the framework of the ''Third Country Education Programme'' which was set up in 1974. Experts, scientists from Turkey, Japan, the Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan and Bosnia Herzegovina will attend the seminar. The seminar's first two week session will be held at a theorical level and during the second session of the seminar a technical journey will be organized in Western Anatolia. [13] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (1)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on May 20, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) COOK VISITS TURKEY Cem said that Turkey's position of refusing to conduct political dialogue with the EU remained, but said this didn't mean the two sides couldn't discuss economic and social issues. Cem added that he told Cook the EU had to abandon its stance of discriminating against Turkey if it wants to mend fences with Ankara and resume political talks. After the Cem-Cook meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement declaring they had agreed on the importance of laying the foundation for a European strategy to prepare Turkey for accession. /All papers/ YOUTH FESTIVAL CELEBRATED CELEBI AT WTO MEETING KINKEL: ''TURKEY IS ESSENTIAL FOR GERMANY'' PANGALOS CRITICISES US AND EU CEM EVALUTES VISITS TO BULGARIA, ROMANIA AND ENGLAND KARADAYI IN MOSCOW SWEDISH BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT GAP GIANT PROJECTS FOR TURKEY [14] TURKEY-PRESS REVIEW (2)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on May 20, 1998. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from the Newsspot of the Turkish General Directorate of Press and Information.) TURKISH AND BULGARIAN BUSINESSMEN TO MEET ON INTERNET FOUR PKK TERRORISTS KILLED GREEK CYPRIOTS ARREST TURKISH SOLDIER ARMENIAN PROBLEM CASTS SHADOW ON TURCO-FRENCH RELATIONS US REVEALS SALE OF MISSILES TO TURKEY AND GREECE GREEN LIGHT FOR PIPELINE VIA IRAN TURKEY AMONG THE CHEAPEST HOLIDAY COUNTRIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN JAPANESE COMPANY IN ISTANBUL [15] THE TENDER CALENDAR OF THE GAP MOTORWAY - CONSTRUCTION TENDERS OF THE MOTORWAY WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 8, 10, 12 AND 15ANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The ''tender calendar'' of the Gaziantep- Sanliurfa motorway known as the ''GAP Motorway'' was redetermined after several changes were made in the related specifications, it was reported on Wednesday. The tenders of the motorway will be held on June 8, 10, 12 and 15.The tender can be participated in by the companies which have been granted with a sufficiency document and is expected to be concluded in July. Officials from the General Directorate of Highways told the A.A correspondent that the Gaziantep-Sanliurfa motorway will be constructed in four separate parts. The construction of the motorway which will cost 616 million US dollars, will be financed by the foreign loans provided by the companies. The nearly 160 kilometre long motorway will be concluded within 3 years. Meanwhile it was reported that the General Directorate of Highways will accept offers from the companies which don't have tax debts for the last 5 years. [16] TURKEY-WEATHER - HEAVY PRECIPITATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WILL BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER WET FRONT COMING FROM THE WESTANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The heavy precipitation throughout the whole country, will be replaced by another wet front coming from the West by the weekend. Rainy weather continues in the northern and interior parts of the country.The officials of the Meteorology General Directorate said that the rainy weather began to affect the country last weekend. The rainy weather will end after continuing in the Marmara, Black Sea, northern and eastern parts of Central Anatolia. Meanwhile, it was reported that nearly 50 houses were inundated due to heavy rain in Izmit Province. Evacuation efforts initiated by the Izmit Municipality are still underway. Flow of traffic on the TEM motorway was prevented due to heavy rain. [17] TURKEY IN BRIEF - MAY 20, 1998ROME - General Ilhan Kilic, the Commander of the Turkish Air Forces, visited on Tuesday the Ghedi Base in northern Italy and inspected the Turkish troops which are in charge of controlling the no-flight zones over Bosnia Herzegovina.There are five F-16 war planes and nearly 100 Turkish officers in the Fleet Command deployed at Ghedi. General Kilic will join the European Air Forces Commanders' meeting between May 21-25 with the commanders from 17 countries. ISTANBUL - The ''10th International Istanbul Theatre Festival'' organized by the Istanbul Foundation of Culture and Art, began on Tuesday. Sakir Eczacıbasi, the Chairman of the Istanbul Foundation of Culture and Art, said that they are very pleased to host the festival. He noted that the cooperation initiative of the Foundation with the cultural capitals of the world is continuing with France this year. Melih Cevdet Anday, the writer of the plays such as ''Immortals'' ''Rubbish of Micado'', was granted with the Honourary Award and Yuri Lubimov, the Director of the Russian Tanganka Theatre, with the Life Long Success Award at the festival. The festival will last for three weeks. ANKARA - The first day competitions of the International Motocross Vestel Ataturk Cup were concluded with the success of the Spanish and Italian racers, it was reported on Tuesday. The Spanish racer Xaver Rico came in first, the Italian Balducci second and the Spanish Dgarr Toronteras third at the competitions held at the Middle East Technical University. Two Turkish racers were eliminated at the semi-final tour. USKUP - A symposium on ''Manastır and Ataturk'' will be held in Manastır, Macedonia, at the beginning of the October, it was reported on Tuesday. Prof. Dr. Enver Hasanoglu, the Rector of the Gazi University, and Prof. Dr. Radmila Sofronieva, the Rector of the Manastir University, said that they decided to organize a symposium in Manastir where Ataturk went school. Hasanoglu and Sofronieva signed a protocol which foresees cooperation between the two universities. The delegation of the Gazi University lead by Prof. Hasanoglu, was received by Kiro Gligorov, the Macedonian President. Gligorov told the members of the delegation that they are ready to provide support for the symposium. ANKARA - President Suleyman Demirel will go to the Ukraine tomorrow for an official visit as the guest of Leonid Kuchma, the Ukranian President, it was reported on Wednesday. Demiral will also hold talks in the Crimea, and return to Turkey in May 23. Several ministers, businessmen and members of the press will accompany Demirel during his visit to the Ukraine. MERSIN - Police captured 9 members of the illegal ''Hezboullah'' organization in Mersin on Wednesday. Offİcials from Icel Directorate for the Struggle Against Terrorism told the A.A correspondent that those captured gave a course with the name of ''Koran course'', to propagandize the illegal organization and try to get members for the organization. ANTALYA - The 11th Golden Arrow Grand Prix Championship began in Antalya on Wednesday. 180 athletes, including 65 women, from 25 countries are participating at the championship. ANKARA - Zurab Jvania, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament and a delegation including 40 members of the parliament came on Wednesday to Turkey to hold official talks. Jvania will be received by President Suleyman Demirel after he meets with Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of Parliament. The guest delegation will hold talks with Yucel Seckiner, the Minister of State, and Suleyman Hatinoglu, the Chairman of the Georgia Friendship Group tomorrow. The Georgian delegation will proceed to Trabzon on Friday and leave Turkey for Georgia on Saturday. ANKARA - Bill Graham, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Commission of the Canadian Parliament, will come Turkey tomorrow as the official guest of the Turkish Parliament, it was reported on Wednesday. Graham will be received by Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament tomorrow. Bill Graham will leave Turkey on Saturday after meeting with Korkmaz Haktanir, the Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Murat Karayalcin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Parliament, and Hikmet Sami Turk, the Minister of State. [18] KAYNASLI BRIDGE ON THE ISTANBUL-ANKARA MOTORWAY BADLY DAMAGED DUE TO FLOODINGBOLU, May 20 (A.A) - The Kaynaslı Bridge, which is near the Bolu Mountain on the D-100 motorway, which connects Istanbul to Ankara, was badly damaged due to flooding, it was reported on Wednesday. The old bridge which is on the way to Istanbul completely collapsed, while the new bridge on the way to Ankara did not collapse completely.Responding to the questions of the A.A correspondent, Nusret Miroglu, the Governor of Bolu Province said that the Kaynaslı Bridge was closed to traffic in the morning. The new bridge was constructed a month ago and a backup of vehicles approximately 10-kilometers long accumulated on the motorway. Efforts are underway to open the new bridge to traffic. [19] NEZERITIS, THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: ''THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF THE EU ISN'T CONVENIENT FOR GIVING SUCH AN ASSISTANCE TO TURKEY LIKE 14 PLUS 1''ANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - Dimitrios Nezeritis, the Greek Ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday that the existing system of the European Union (EU) isn't convenient for giving such a financial assistance to Turkey with a formula like ''14 plus 1.''Responding to the questions of journalists, Nezeritis stated that ''I haven't heard the statement of Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary concerning this issue. I don't want to say more about this issue, however I think that the 14 plus 1 formula isn't convenient for extending financial assistance to Turkey.'' The document titled, ''the EU Strategy for Turkey,'' which was published by the European Commission on May 3 and which foresees improvement of the Turkish-EU relations, was discussed during the one-day visit to Turkey of Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary. The British Foreign Secretary proposed ''the 14 plus 1 formula'' to lift the Greek veto on financial assistance to Turkey, which is an important part of the Strategy. The formula foresees the 14 EU countries except Greece extending the promised financial assistance to Turkey by forming a special fund. [20] TURKEY IN BRIEF (2)- MAY 20, 1998GAZIANTEP - Feray Salman, the Coordinator of the Turkish Information Network of the European Commission, said on Wednesday that Turkey would have an effective part in Europe with the European Students' General Forum.Addressing the conference on ''Youth and Turkey in the European Union (EU)'' organized in the southeastern Gaziantep Province, Salman said that the Forum is an European students' organization established in the French capital of Paris in 1995, adding that the aim of the Forum is to provide cooperation and integration among the youth, especially students, in Europe. ''The representatives of the Forum are in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Our university students may participate in the activities of the Forum more effectively, contributing to the membership of Turkey in the EU,'' Salman said. ANKARA - Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament, received on Wednesday Zurab Jvania, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, and the accompanying delegation. Cetin said in the meeting that the positive relations between Turkey and Georgia were contributing to peace and stability in the region. Zurab Jvania said, ''Turkey that is in the atmosphere of free trade in Europe is an important potential for us. Turkey always supports us on the international issues. Turkey and Georgia will launch great efforts to utilize this potential.'' LEFKOSA - The ''75th Year Mediterranean Culture and Art Ship'' belonging to the Ministry of Culture will arrive at the Girne Harbour on Thursday within the framework of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. The ship, which departed from Istanbul on May 16, is carrying a total of 275 people including Istemihan Talay, the Minister of Culture, high-level bureaucrats, artists and reporters. The artists on board will perform artistic activities at the 20 Temmuz Stadium in Girne late on Thursday. The ship will leave Girne for Antalya the same day. LEFKOSA - Hikmet Ulugbay, the Minister of National Education, will arrive on Friday in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to sign a cooperation protocol in the field of education, it was reported on Wednesday. Hikmet Ulugbay and Gunay Caymaz, the Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports of the TRNC, will sign the agreement on Saturday. Ulugbay and the accompanying delegation will leave the TRNC on Sunday. IZMIR - The Association of Young Businessmen in Izmir will open a representation in the Belgian capital of Brussels to closely follow the developments in the European Union (EU) and to lobby on behalf of Turkey, it was reported on Wednesday. The Association said in a written statement that they signed a cooperation protocol in the fields of joint investments and exchange of information with the Association of Belgian Turkish Businessmen. The statement said that the aim of the cooperation protocol was to strengthen the ties between the Turkish and Belgian-Turkish businessmen. ANKARA - Burhan Kara, the Minister of State, will leave on Thursday for Portugal to attend the opening of the International Maritime Fair EXPO'98, it was reported on Wednesday. Refaiddin Sahin, the Minister of State and the Chairman of the Turkish-Portugese Joint Economic Commission (JEC), will accompany Kara. The Ministry of State said that the fair on ''Oceans and Heritage for the Future'' will be opened on Friday and will remain open for four months. [21] ARMENIAN CRISIS IN RELATIONS WITH FRANCEANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The preparation of a draft law by several French Socialist parliamentarians to urge France to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide, has created tension in Turkish-French diplomatic relations, it was reported on Wednesday.Addressing a weekly press briefing, Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, confirmed the preparations of the draft law in France, adding that Turkey has taken various initiatives to prevent the adoption of the draft law. Noting that the efforts launched to make the so-called Armenian genocide be recognized have intensified like in the 1980s, Utkan said that Sonmez Koksal, the Turkish Ambassador to France will meet with the French Speaker of the Parliament to prevent the draft law. Utkan stressed that Koksal will convey the letter of Hikmet Cetin, the Speaker of the Parliament to the French Speaker of the Parliament and Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz will send a similar letter to the French Prime Minister. [22] SEKA HAS 1.8 TRILLION TL IN PROFITS IN 1995 WHILE IT HAS 242.9 BILLION TL IN LOSSES IN 1996ANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The Parliamentary Commission for the State Economic Enterprises released on Wednesday the accounts of the Turkish Cellulose and Paper Factories Enterprise (SEKA), which had a profit of 1.8 trillion Turkish Liras (TL) in 1996 and had a loss of 242.9 billion TL in 1996.Giving information about the activities of the SEKA in 1995 and 1996 on which the Commission made inspections, Halil Sonmez, the General Director of the SEKA said that the gross sales revenues of the SEKA in 1997 were 40.4 trillion TL, excluding the Value Added Tax. Pointing out that the revenues obtained only from the sales of cardboard was 34.1 trillion TL last year, Sonmez said that the programmed sales income for 1998 was 82.6 trillion TL. Stressing that a total of 80 percent of the machines and equipment used in the paper industry were now produced in Turkey, Halil Sonmez said that the SEKA was put into the scope of privatization last year. Noting that the annual paper requirement of Turkey was 400 thousand tonnes, Sonmez said that a total of 170 thousand tonnes of this demand was supplied by the SEKA while the remaining part was imported. [23] COLLAPSE OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST PKK - THREE PKK TERRORISTS SURRENDER TO THE TURKISH EMBASSY IN BEIRUTANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - The surrenders from the separatist terrorist PKK organization started to increase when the security forces struck heavy blows on the terrorist organization, it was reported on Wednesday. Three separatist terrorists surrendered to the Turkish Embassy in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.The names of the separatist terrorists who surrendered to the Embassy are Ramazan Mahmutoglu, Fuat Karadag and Mahmut Karadayi. These terrorists confessed that they were trained at the camps in the Bekaa Valley and that they escaped from the separatist terorrist organization and decided to surrender on May 18. The terrorists said that disagreements occurred among the leading terrorists after the operations of the security forces in Turkey and in Northern Iraq and that these leading terrorists killed some terrorists about whom they had suspicions. These separatist terrorists who surrendered to the Embassy will be brought to Ankara on Friday. [24] IF THE EU GRANTS A SECURITY, THEN THE TURKISH-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL TO BE HELD - FM: ''THE EU SHOULD GRANT A GUARANTEE CONCERNING THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRATEGY DOCUMENT AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION''ANKARA, May 20 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that if a guarantee is granted despite the Greek veto on financial assistance, which was promised by European Union (EU) to be given to Turkey, the Turkish-EU Association Council can meet.Necati Utkan, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman told a weekly press briefing that Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary, said during his visit to Ankara that 14 EU countries wish to fulfill their financial promise to Turkey, but Greece blocks it. ''If a guarantee is granted, then a working basis can be formed, negotiations can be held, but the EU should grant a guarantee concerning the protection of the integrity of strategy document and its promise of financial cooperation,'' Utkan said. The Turkish-EU Association Council is foreseen to convene in Brussels on May 25, however Turkey doesn't welcome the meeting, because the EU couldn't fulfill its promises towards Turkey. Noting that the financial assistance is compulsory within the EU Strategy Document for Turkey, Utkan stressed that the Association Council can be held if the EU's attitude becomes clearer. Recalling that the Turkish government said on December 14 that Turkey would continue to pursue her integration policy with the EU despite the decisions taken at the Luxembourg Summit, Utkan added that a negotiation basis can be formed concerning the ''European Strategy Document for Turkey,'' which was prepared by the EU Commission. ''The main element of indefiniteness is financial cooperation. The financial assistance which the EU promised to extend to Turkey has symbolic importance for us,'' said Utkan, adding that Cook has displayed a positive attitude concerning the EU-Turkish relations. Noting that the 15 member states or 14 plus Greece formula of Cook is both interesting and thought- provoking, Utkan said this proves that Greece is alone and she is isolated in every field. Utkan also said that ''if the uncertainty cannot be overcomed, the Partnership Council will only be a show.'' Utkan added that Britain, the EU Term President aims ''to take another step forward'' during the EU meeting that will be held in Cardiff after the Turkish-EU Association Council meeting. [25] OPERATION IN MUS AGAINST ILLEGAL HEZBOLLAH ORGANIZATION - 26 HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS CAPTUREDMUS, May 20 (A.A) - Security forces captured on Wednesday 26 members of the illegal Hezbollah organization and seized a lot of organizational documents in the operations they launched in eastern Mus Province.Questioning the captured members of the illegal Hezbollah organization, officials said that these people staged activities in Mus under the name of the so-called ''scientists'' and distributed organizational bulletins in mosques by using children between 7-13 years of age. The security forces had recently seized 44 Hezbollah members in the operations in the villages of Mus Province. [26] AEGEAN INDUSTRIALISTS IN BULGARIAPLOVDIV, May 20 (A.A) - The Aegean businessmen visited on Wednesday Plovdiv, the fair center of Bulgaria, on the second day of their visit organized by the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO).The officials from the Turkish and Bulgarian delegations conveyed their common wish of improving the economic cooperation between the two countries in the meeting organized at the fair building of the Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Trade. Addressing the meeting, Ihsan Yucel, the Consulate General of Turkey to Plovdiv, said that the businessmen, who wanted to engage in business in the region, would easily find the telecommunications, banking, customs, free trade and transportation services in Plovdiv. Dobrina Prodonova, the Chairman of the Plovdiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the Aegean businessmen to engage in business in Plovdiv and to participate in privatization. The meeting continued with the bilateral negotiations of the Turkish and Bulgarian businessmen. Following the meeting, the businessmen visited the Celhart Paper Factory that the Turkish Isiklar Holding established in Plovdiv within the scope of privatization. Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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